BLUES backs coach Gareth Baber insisted his side were handed a reality check after their defeat against Ulster last weekend.

The region were defeated 20-3 by Ulster in Belfast after winning their first two games, but have a chance to make amends against Munster at the Cardiff City Stadium tonight.

“We took from the first two games, but it was a bit of a reality check against a good Ulster side,” said Baber.

“We have questioned what we did not get right, but we have a chance a week later to improve things.”

The Blues have made seven changes, with Dan Fish and Richard Mustoe replacing the injured Chris Czekaj (shoulder) and Tom James (calf).

Centre Dafydd Hewitt and scrum-half Richie Rees return, with Casey Laulala and Lewis Jones dropping down to the bench.

There are three changes in the forwards, with Andries Pretorius recovered from a knee injury and starting at No.8, with Xavier Rush moving to the bench.

Maama Molitika moves from blindside to openside in place of the injured Martyn Williams, while Michael Paterson moves from the second-row to the back-row and Deiniol Jones starts at lock.

Munster returned to the top of the table and stretched their record-breaking winning run to 13 matches against the Scarlets last Saturday.

They have conceded only one try in their last six matches and have now gone 322 minutes without having their defences breached and Baber acknowledged they are a quality team, even without their internationals.

“Similar to Ulster, all Munster sides are very disciplined and structured,” said Baber.

“They will be physical and want to play in the right areas by implementing a good kicking game.

“They will try to use their physicality and we have to match that and put our game in place.”